Ruben Navarrette Jr.: The power of one

The book arrives as Americans begin a national debate over immigration reform. One of the things being discussed is whether citizenship should be a deal-breaker.

Morones says no.

“The overwhelming majority of the undocumented couldn’t care less about citizenship,” he said. “They just want to be documented.”

Congress could pass an all-encompassing reform plan or deal with the issue piecemeal. Morones used to prefer the first road. But now – more disillusioned with the political process – he’ll settle for the second. All he cares about is giving Mexican migrants a safe and legal way to enter the United States.

So, I asked him, if there are 11 million unauthorized immigrants and a bill comes along that only gives legal status to 3 million, would he take it?

“Definitely,” he said. “And some people will call me a sellout. And I’ll ask them: ‘How many of you have ever seen a dead body in the desert? I have seen many. My critics aren’t on the front lines. They’re in Washington. It’s easy for them to talk.”

Disappointment has made my friend pragmatic. But it hasn’t extinguished his passion.

“So what if we can’t get the 11 million,” he said. “We’ll take the 3 million. We’re not going to forget the 8 million. We’re going to keep fighting.”

Compadre, here’s to the fight – and to those who don’t cower from it.

Navarrette is a Carlsbad-based columnist syndicated by The Washington Post Writers Group. His email address is ruben@rubennavarrette.com.